Playhouse hosts vintage party for 80th anniversary

Turn the clock back to 1929 and come celebrate Long Beach Playhouse’s 80th Anniversary at Joey “The Saint” Valentine’s Speakeasy. You won’t want to miss the swankiest 1929 opening night the city of Long Beach has ever seen since the Playhouse became the city’s first performing arts organization in February of that year – it will be the cat’s pajamas (vintage attire is encouraged)!

Joey Valentine’s Speakeasy will be located at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, 111 East Ocean Boulevard. Tickets are $250 (seating down front with Joey) and $150, with tables of 10 available. If you know the password, the doors open at 5:30 p.m. Festivities, food and a “shocking story” unfold beginning at 6:30 p.m. An “absolutely arresting” evening. Call (562) 494-1014, ext 500.

Join Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and LA County Supervisor Don Knabe as they mingle with Gloria Swanson, George Raft and W.C. Fields. You never know what other celebrities will be popping in at Joey’s that evening.

The shocking story (a la Walter Winchell): “This just in…the news of the day for Saturday, February 13, 1929 … in Long Beach California — a city that is known for its bevy of beach beauties, it’s lean legged longshoremen, it’s good and wholesome citizens, and it’s politicians who are incorruptible and honest! …A shocking story…”

Long Beach Playhouse, established in 1929, is the oldest continually operating community theatre west of the Mississippi. With two theatres (Mainstage and Studio Theatre ) the Long Beach Playhouse offers 16 productions yearly. Visit their website for all the details, www.lbph.com.